The Submarine Heritage Centre - Resolution (Polaris) Class

Sponsorship Comments

This painting was commissioned by the Officers and Men of the 1st Submarine Squadron based at HM Naval Base Clyde (Faslane) May 2002.

Resolution Class Technical Facts:

- Pennant Numbers: HMS/M Resolution (S22), HMS/M Repulse (S23).
- Yard Numbers: 1074 & 1075
- Dimensions (in feet): Length 425 feet, Beam 33 feet, Draught 30 feet.
- Displacement: Surface: 4,400 tons, Submerged: 4,900 tons.
- Propulsion: Single shaft Pressurised Water Reactor 1 (PWR1) nuclear plant, Two geared steam turbines = 15,000 shp
- Displacement: Surfaced 7,500 tons, Submerged 8,400 tons.
- Speed: In excess of 25 knots.
- Endurance: Approximately 100,000 nautical miles.
- Armaments: Sixteen A3 Polaris UGM-27c two stage SLBM, powered by solid Fuel rocket motors with a range of 2,500 miles. 6 x 21 inch Torpedo Tubes fitted in the ships bow.
- Complement: 13 Officers and 137 Ratings.

Notes: The third and fourth boats of the class HMS/M Renown (S26) and HMS/M Revenge (S27) were built at Cammell Lairds at Birkenhead.

Historical Facts:

At the Nassau conference in December 1962, an agreement was reached between President J.F.Kennedy and Prime Minister Harold Mc Millan to allow the Royal Navy to purchase the Polaris submarine launched Ballistic Missile System, to compensate for the cancellation of the Skybolt airborne strategic system in 1961. At a stroke, the Royal Navy took over total responsibility for Britain's nuclear deterrent from the Royal Air Force.

The development of the Polaris programme placed an enormous strain on both the Royal Navy and the industrial economy, but much to the credit of both, the programme came in on time, and more importantly, within budget.

The original plan was for five boats, but the incoming Labour Government cancelled the fifth boat as a political gesture. This decision placed enormous pressures on the Polaris Submarine Force, as it was pledged to have a boat on patrol at all times. Using two crews (Port and Starboard) and tight refit schedules, the "Bombers" carried out their patrols for thirty years without any undue fuss until the introduction of the Vanguard Class Trident Submarines.

When the final Polaris patrol was completed in 1996, the four boats had carried out a total of 229 two month patrols between them.

Back to Resolution page...
Back to Home page...